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- Tom Martin had for some time been out of employment, and, although he had repeatedly applied for his old position as telegraph operator, the fact that he had taken part in a recent labor strike was held as a bar against his re-employment by the company. Now, Tom was a willing worker and only too anxious to do anything to earn a living for himself and his young wife. But the fates seemed against him, and, outside of a few odd jobs he was unsuccessful. To add to his burden and worry, his wife fell ill and was obliged to take to her bed. The few dollars he bad been able to save rapidly disappeared, and, as she was too ill to be left alone, Tom found it almost impossible to absent himself long enough to seek for work. The opening scene of the picture shows a plain but neat bedroom in a cheap lodging house. Tom is sitting by the bedside of his sick wife, waiting anxiously for the arrival of the doctor, who had promised to come and minister to his loved one's needs. A knock is heard at the door, but on opening it, instead of seeing the doctor, the sour face of his landlady greets his eye. Brushing past him into the room, she demands in a loud voice to know whether or not he was in a position to make her an immediate payment on his rent. Telling her that he had not a cent at present, he turns to pacify her with the promise to raise some money as soon as his wife is well enough to be left alone. That does not satisfy the irresistible landlady, and she gives him twenty-four hours to vacate the premises, and the same time placing a "To Rent" sign in the bedroom window while she is venting her anger in loud terms. The doctor arrives, and, taking in the situation at a glance, tells Tom to get rid of her, as her presence was trying to the invalid's nerves. She is finally ejected from the room, and the doctor, after examining the sick wife, writers out a prescription and tells Tom to have it filled immediately. Fearing to confess his inability to pay for the medicine the poor fellow rushes out, determined to find sonic way in which he might make the necessary raise. Meeting a neighbor (Miss Maggie Clancy) on his way out, he asks her to remain with his wife until he can return. The goodhearted girl promises not to leave her alone, and so Tom starts out on his mission. We next see him at a drug store, where he accosts the druggist in the hopes of obtaining credit for a few days. But that gentleman is hardened by many similar requests, and so turns a deaf ear to the anxious husband. From one to another the poor fellow goes, and always the same answer, "nothing doing." At last, worn out and discouraged, we see him enter the city park, where with a heart-broken sob he flings himself down on a garden bench and gives way to his grief. Coming through the park with rapid strides, whistling the last popular air, is Tim Bradley, a race tout. Tim also has been unfortunate lately in picking winners at the track, consequently is, as he expresses it, "on the blink" himself. Now, Tim had known Tom in his prosperous days, and the operator had staked him to many a meal when he was in sore need. The tout never forgot a favor, and seeing his old friend in seeming distress, asks what the trouble is, and Tom is not long in informing him. Diving into his pockets, he finds them empty. But Tim is nothing if not optimistic, and telling Tom to come with him, starts out determined to raise the money. He is not long in forming a plan, which his fertile brain rapidly conceives. He will work a stunt that is risky, but apt to succeed, and, being a chance his gaming instincts make it relishable. Hastening down an alley the two soon come to a back yard. A large washing is hanging out. Over the fence goes Tim, procures one of the clothes lines, and, returning, began to fashion a hangmans noose on one end of it. Then back to the park, where a suitable tree is found, a bench is procured and placed beneath an overhanging limb. With instructions for Tom to make a round-about detour of the park, and at a certain signal attract attention to him, the tout proceeds to arrange for a fake attempt at suicide. The plan works beautifully. People walking along enjoying the flowers and sunshine are suddenly startled by a cry of, "Look, there is a man hanging himself!" In an instant a great commotion arises. Men rush wildly toward the tree where the tout is preparing to spring into space with the end of a rope about his neck. Tom is in the lead and arrives just in time to catch Tim in his arms as he leaves the bench. The rope is cut and the struggling tout finally subdued. "Why did you do this?" blurts out an excitable old gentleman who has just rushed up out of breath. Then Tim, with tears in his eyes and a broken voice, relates a tale of woe about a sick wife and starving children that melts the hearts of the bystanders and causes a sudden diving for handkerchiefs and pocketbooks. Tom is dumbfounded at the acting of the clever tout and can hardly keep a straight face as he sees its effect on the crowd. "There, my poor man, take that," says the blubbering old gentleman as he drops a dollar into his hat and passes it around for further contributions. Many of the bystanders follow the old gentleman's example with the result that a goodly sum is turned over to Tim. and he is sent away stammering out his thanks to the kind hearts that have helped him so generously. Yon are a brick, Tim," cries the grateful Tom as the tout hands him a handful of money when they are nut of sight of the still excited crowd. That's all right, old fellow, you have helped me many a time when I needed it. Take it home, give it to the little woman, then come with me to the track and we will see if we can't pick up some more." The medicine is quickly procured, and, kissing his fond wife good-bye for a few hours, leaves her in charge of the good hearted-neighbor and accompanies Tim out to the race track. After paying their admission the two boys have very little left as most of the money was turned over to the sick wife. But the tout was resourceful, as most men who live by their wits are, and not easily discouraged. So he sets out to see what he can learn about the horses and peddle his information to whoever he could. He was not long in spotting John McGee, the owner of a string of thoroughbreds and a clever plunger. Unknown to him, Tim follows him about the stables till finally be sees him stop, and pulling a telegraph blank from his pocket, begins to write a message. It doesn't suit him, so tearing it up he walks away. Tim watches him out of sight, then procures the torn pieces of the dispatch and, putting them together reads it. "Lady Fay, a 50-to-l shot, looks good to me," signed Jack. That was enough for Tim. Now, then, to raise some money. A farmer standing nearby looking at some of the racing stock attracts the tout's attention, and straightway for Ruben makes the irrepressible Tim. At first the farmer is suspicious of being done, but so convincing is Tim's argument, and so tempting is the chance to make a winning, that the bucolic gentleman loosens up for a twenty, and away goes the tout for the betting ring, where the bill is placed on "Lady Fay" with odds of 50 to 1. At last the eventful race is run, and the little mare gallops home a winner by a length. "Jumping beeswax!" shouts the excited farmer as Tim thrusts $500.00 into his hands (being one-half of the amount the clever tout drew from the chagrined bookmaker). "Never knew there was so much money in the world." Dividing his share with Tom, the two boys hasten back to the sick wife to bear her the cheering news of their good fortune. The landlady receives her rent. Maggie Clancy decides she needs a husband and picks Tim as the favorite, and the characters of our drama are left rejoicing over their unexpected turn of luck, which all goes to show that much good may he found "In the Heart of a Race Tout." - The Moving Picture World, July 24, 1909
- Jack Thornton, an American traveler, while touring Europe meets the daughter of an old French nobleman and falls in love with her. He is persistent in his suit for her hand, but outside of a seemingly cordial friendship the lady apparently does not return his affections. There is a reason for this. Osman Bey, a Turkish nobleman, desires the hand of this charming girl. He has expressed his love for her to her father, who is an ambitious, worldly man and who aspires to obtain that social recognition which is so dear to the average man of wealth. Mons. Dupont is well aware that he is selling his daughter, and so cleverly does he arrange matters by pretending that he is facing financial ruin, that he persuades Flora into giving her consent to the marriage in order to save his credit. Several months later, whilst sightseeing in Constantinople, Jack by accident meets Flora, who is driving in a closed vehicle. He is startled at the change in her appearance and indignant over the revelation of her misery and ill-treatment. Almost a prisoner in the house of Osman Bey, she is denied friends and relatives. Her one great desire now is to get away from her tyrannical and brutal husband. Jack determines to aid her, and tells her that he will gain admittance to the grounds of the palace after sundown, where he may talk with her and if possible formulate a plan whereby she may gain her freedom. True to his word Jack is on hand at the appointed time, but is unable to pass the guards at the gate. Nothing daunted, this daring American determines to scale the massive walls, which he does after a great deal of difficulty. Making his way through the beautiful gardens, he manages to see through a lighted window Flora's face and form, Gently tapping on the pane of glass her attention is attracted, but a female spy, ordered by Osman Bey to keep an eye on his wife, observes the signal from the window and immediately acquaints her master with the knowledge of his wife's indiscretion. Burning with rage, the infuriated husband summons his slaves and orders them to take the American prisoner. Jack has just greeted Flora, when he is startled by a sharp word of command, and turning suddenly he is seized by the stalwart slaves of the palace and dragged away. Flora appeals to her enraged husband for Jack's release, taking all the blame on herself, but to no avail. The prisoner is carried to an underground dungeon, where he is left to ponder over the perplexing situation in which he now finds himself. Maddened by grief, the poor girl determines in her desperation to go to the Sultan and beg his clemency. Escaping from her chamber window she makes her way to the Sultan's palace, and gaining admittance is granted an audience by his majesty. Struck by her beauty and fired by the crafty thought that he might gain this helpless woman for his harem, he promises her the pardon, but instead of letting her take it he dispatches one of his officers with the papers, at the same time commanding the bewildered Flora to remain at his palace. How Jack is led out to execution and how the pardon arrives just in time to save his life, much to the chagrin of Osman Bey, is all vividly shown. Jack has learned of Flora's detention in the Sultan's palace, and so embittered is he at this outrage that he joins the cause of the revolutionists. The last scenes of the picture show the attack on the Sultan's palace, and the meeting of Osman Bey and Jack in a hand to hand conflict in which the Turk is bested, which is followed by the rescue of Flora and the capture of the despised Sultan.
- Buck Minor was the most detested man in Wolf Hollow, partly because he was quarrelsome and treacherous, partly because he abused and neglected his little wife, Molly, whom all the camp adored, and for whose sake it tolerated Buck. A bright baby girl was Molly's only comfort and gave her courage to endure the hardships which otherwise must have crushed her. The opening scene of the story shows a street in Wolf Hollow. Buck is on one of his usual rampages, and running into an athletic cowpuncher who is in town to spend his money, he makes an insulting remark and is soundly drubbed by the younger Hercules of the plains. Buck is proud of his fistic ability, and his defeat by a stranger before the denizens of the camp is more than he can stand, so he determines to pull up stakes and migrate to other parts. Stumbling along home to his cabin, he bursts into the one little room where his patient wife is rocking the little child to sleep, and with an angry growl informs her that he is going to "pull his freight" out of Wolf Hollow forever, and that she must accompany him, but leave the baby behind. Molly clasps the child wildly to her breast and begs piteously to be allowed to take her little one, but Buck is obdurate and gains his point by threatening to kill the infant unless she consents to leave it. Scrawling a note which he intends to leave, offering the child to anyone who may find it, he makes preparations for his immediate departure. Clinging wildly to her little one, the distracted mother is soon dragged from the house and told to mount one of the horses waiting without. Thus we see them riding away toward the setting sun, an inhuman father rejoicing in the prospects of shaking the dust of the hater camp from off his boots, a broken-hearted mother choking with sobs, thinking only of the helpless baby alone and deserted in the little cabin on the hill. Slippery Ann, a half-witted girl of the camp, meets Buck and his wife while on her return from a journey into the foothills, and is entrusted with the note Buck has written regarding the child. Hurrying on to Wolf Hollow. Ann turns the note over to Judge Honk, the father of the camp and dispenser of law and justice. The Judge is greatly exercised over the heartlessness of Buck, and calling the inhabitants of the camp about him, soon organizes a rescue party to repair to the deserted cabin of the Minors' and ascertains what truth there was in the strange letter. No time is lost in reaching the shack on the hill, and there, sure enough, lying on the bed is the infant. Taking it up rather gingerly in his arms, as though he were afraid of breaking it. Judge Honk heads the procession out the door and down the hill to the camp where a mass meeting is at once held to discuss ways and means of taking care of the kid. Cherokee Jim, the bartender of the "thirst emporium," suggests that they raffle off the youngster and whoever draws the winning card shall be the kid's adopted daddy. The raffle is quickly pulled off, and Ben Brooks, a good-natured, big-hearted cowpuncher, draws the lucky number. Ben almost reneges when he realizes what he has on his hands, but the cheers of good wishes of the rest of the bunch brace him up and they all retire to the "thirst parlor" to have one on the new daddy. After that "Ben's Kid" (as the baby is christened) becomes the one absorbing topic of conversation. Around the camp that night in the bunk house, a half-dozen sleepy punchers are trying to get some rest, while Ben in his bare feet is prancing around the room, jolting the baby up and down, while the youngster, terrified at its new surroundings, is making the welkin ring with its screams. "Fatty Carter," the heaviest weight on the range, does an Indian war dance, but to no avail. At last they all agree that the kid is sick, and a puncher is at once dispatched on the fastest bronco on the ranch to bring Judge Honk to the scene of battle at once (every one, of course, having absolute faith in the ability and knowledge of the Judge in all matters) to bring them out of the difficulty. The Judge soon arrives loaded down with mustard, and old-fashioned remedies of all kinds, and at once starts in to bring order out of chaos. Now, to return to Buck and his heartbroken wife. All afternoon they have traveled until near nightfall. The horses are unsaddled, the pack removed from the lead animal, and preparations are made to camp till morning. Now Molly has been turning over in her mind a plan, although a desperate one, it seems, the only loophole out of her present misery. Waiting until Buck has fallen into a sound slumber, she cautiously steals away from the camp fire and makes for a clump of trees in which are fettered the horses. Releasing her pony, she springs on his back and dashes away in the black night over the homeward trail. Aroused by the sound of her horses' hoofs. Buck awakes, and with a terrible oath upon realizing that Molly has outwitted him, goes crashing through the brush to his horse, and quickly saddling him, gallops away in pursuit of the fleeing woman, determined to overtake and kill her rather than let her escape from him for good. But he does not reckon on the swiftness of Molly's mount, and though he plies both whip and spur, his jaded horse is unable to gain a foot on the game little sorrel. On over rocks, through the stream, now down the slope of the mountain and across the gulch speeds the desperate woman, every nerve pounding on her brain, and every muscle strained to its utmost tension, her lips moving in silent prayer that she might outstrip the dread pursuer and regain the child fur whom her mother's heart cries out in bitter anguish. At last, brave girl, the goal is reached. Her way leads past the ranch on which Ben Brooks and the U.X. outfit are quartered, and seeing a light in the bunk house, the terrified woman heads her horse toward the beacon ray of hope. She barely reaches the door when the infuriated husband dashes up, bursting into the room. Molly startles the boys and the Judge into action. Buck, losing his head beyond control, follows her. "Save me," shrieks the terrified Molly. In an instant Buck finds himself in the grasp of a dozen willing hands. With a strength born of frenzy, he dashes them aside and draws his gun to shoot the cowering girl, when his aim is spoiled by quick action on Ben's part, and the Judge gets the bullet in his arm. Howling with pain, he yells to the punchers to hang the "varmint." But Buck is too quick for them, and knocking down a couple of the buys, he rushes his way out the door, and throwing himself into the saddle, plunges away into the night. No time is lost in going after him. Twenty swift riders are in the saddle before ten minutes have elapsed and they are off after the hated Buck, whose horse, already worn out from the other chase, is soon overtaken. A lariat hurls through the air and settles down about his neck, thus ending all hopes of escape for the fugitive. A letter written a year later to the Judge tells us what they did to Buck, while Molly, the pretty widow, is persuaded to let Ben retain his title to the kid by allowing Judge Honk to tie the knot, and Mr. and Mrs. Brooks start out on life's journey together, taking with them the good will and well wishes of the entire camp. -- The Moving Picture World, June 26, 1909
- It was the anniversary of his wife's birth, and she, womanlike, did not fail to impress the fact upon her husband's mind as he departed at his usually early hour for his customary day's work. A bit excited over the prospect of presenting his better half with a gift befitting the occasion, he loses his balance as he steps out of the front door and rolls pell-mell down a flight of six steps to the street. Picking himself up, he boards a street car, and arriving at his office he goes through his daily routine of business. At the close of office hours he repairs to John Post & Co.'s crockery establishment, and after much cogitation and repeated questioning, purchases a rather handsome jardinière. Delighted with his choice and anticipating the caress he will receive in return, he again takes a car, this time for home. As he seats himself be is accosted by an old friend. After a reminiscent talk Jones arrives at his destination and alights, forgetting his jardinière. The car speeds on. Poor Jones, recovering his wits and realizing that he dare not return home without some token, betakes himself to the same store and purchases another jardinière. Again en route to his car, while passing a grocery store Jones is hailed by another old acquaintance. In the good fellowship of this accidental meeting, Jones absentmindedly places his wife's present on the rear end of the grocery wagon nearby. Thereupon the driver departs with his wagon and is out of sight before Jones realizes what has occurred. He gives chase, but to no avail. He glances nervously at his watch. Exasperated and overheated, he rushes back to the store, and to the amazement of the proprietor purchases his third jardinière. This time he is determined to get safely home; no friend shall balk his way. His car is in sight, when his attention is attracted by a heated altercation between a lady and a taxicab driver, she claiming that she is being overcharged. Now Jones was ever of a chivalrous tendency, and, upon being requested to decide the dispute, proceeds to do so, after first placing his precious parcel on the sidewalk near the cab. A few words, and with a satisfied feeling of having accomplished an heroic deed, Jones reaches for his jardinière, but to his consternation finds that the chauffeur has mistaken it for the property of the occupant of the taxicab, and jardinière and taxicab were "over the hills and far away." Half-crazed with his repeated misfortunes, he rushes back to the same store. The clerk is dumbfounded at the reappearance of this monomaniac on jardinières, but sells him another. Poor Jones, his very soul distorted by his anticipated reception of a late arrival home on this eventful day, dashes madly for his car, when he is startled by a woman who clutches him, not fondly, but too strongly, and screams into his ears "For God's sake, help me; my husband is killing my mother!" Much against his will, unfortunate Mr. Jones is urged into an apartment house. Inside the house he finds himself battling for life, while he is chased madly around the room by a fiend incarnate, who wields an ax with a dexterity so accurate that Jones decidedly disapproves of accuracy. The woman and her mother flee from the house while he, poor man, makes a hurried departure, smashing his jardinière and screaming anathemas on all birthdays. Bruised, tattered and heartsick, be again slowly wends his way to the now so familiar store. "Another of the same kind, please." he meekly requests, he at last gets on a car safely. The car is crowded. A workman enters carrying a package, places it next to that of Jones' jardinière, and he takes a seat beside our friend. At last Jones reaches his destination, and. grabbing the wrong parcel, alights. He enters his dining-room, much relieved, and. inscribing a loving message to his wife, he places it beside what he believes to be his well-earned jardinière. Calling Mrs. Jones, he points with pride to his gift. She embraces him fondly, after reading his words of affection, truly meant but unfortunately so inappropriate. For as she discloses the article so carefully wrapped, lo and behold! it is a workingman's teapot, black with soot. Poor Mrs. Jones, expectant all day, resents what she considers a practical joke, and belabors her husband with words well-nigh unspeakable, and leaves the room, vowing that henceforth he is no husband of hers and that she will return to her mother, never again to be called wife by such as Jones. He, amazed and crestfallen, and disgruntled with the world and himself, swears that birthdays should never exist.
- Kouts, Ind: The accidental exhumation of human bones and Colonial firearms leads to the discovery of an old fort built by La Salle in the 17th Century. Nice, France: President Poincare is tireless in his efforts to alleviate the suffering of French soldiers by paying cheery visits from week to week to the numerous hospitals. Cambridge, Mass: After years of neglect Harvard athletes have again taken up scientific sparring, and now many students work daily outside the Hemenway Gymnasium. Washington, D.C: A delegation of Texans, accompanied by Senator Sheppard and Representative Slayden, arrive in the Capital to invite President Wilson to attend the Lone Star State Jubilee at San Antonio. Nish, Serbia: Field Marshal Von Hindenburg, the Idol of Germany, is here planning details of the proposed great drive toward the allies' well-fortified position at Saloniki. San Francisco, Calif: One hundred long-distance runners compete in the fifth annual cross-city race held here. Washington, D.C: A large volunteer army at an expenditure of $6,000,000, or conscription for America, is a warning sounded by Secretary of War Garrison as he leaves the House Military Committee meeting. Washington, D.C: Juan Domenios of Brazil flies in his aeroplane from the White House grounds with his wife and loops the loop over Washington Monument. Boston, Mass: Samuel W. McCall is inaugurated with much pomp and ceremony as Governor of Massachusetts. Youngstown, Ohio: A reign of terror which results in one death, serious injury to forty and a property loss of $1,600,000 follows the strike of 6,000 steel workers here. Los Angeles, Calif: Lessons in camel mounting and riding are daily given at the Selig Zoo to perfect the actors for parts in Oriental photoplays. Winchendon, Mass: Society revels in midwinter sport at the "Joy Town Tavern" snow carnival, leaving in bobs, on skis and snow shoes for the "slide."
- Miss Van Astorbilt is a widow lady with a retinue of servants. he has long promised one of her cousins, a large youth who lives on a farm near Lonesomhurst, L.I., to have him visit her in her New York home. The long expected day arrives. We see Reuben receive a telegram: "Dear Cousin, call down at 3, and we will make it pleasant for you." But Miss Van Astorbilt is called away. The servants are instructed to act for her. This does not suit the servants, as they are preparing for the yearly Housemaids' Masquerade; they resent Reuben's intrusion, but decide to obey Madame and make it pleasant for him. And they do.
- A story, unique as to pictures, founded on fact and produced with absolute fidelity to nature. A news item in the English edition of the Cairo news (Africa), dated ten years ago, begins this startling series of picture events: British Ship Zanzibar Founders Off East Coast. Frightful fate would await castaways, as the country is uninhabited for hundreds of miles. Then we are shown a raft in mid-ocean bearing the only two survivors of the lost Zanzibar, Capt. Jack Ownes and his daughter Essie. A few hours later we get a glimpse of the African shore line, showing the captain and his daughter both lying senseless where the remorseless waves have tossed them. Five Years Later we see a rude cabin built of grass, mud and brush. The labor of its making has kept the brave captain and his daughter from madness, the utter hopelessness of their being rescued from this desolate region has finally become a settled conviction with them both, so they live as best they can, fighting as primeval man had to fight for food and shelter; the sea has washed ashore from the Zanzibar many things which have helped them in their present situation, the skins of animals protect them from the heavy dews of night, and the captain has learned through necessity to keep their larder stocked with his bow and arrows. An evil day comes; the father is stricken with fever, and in spite of his daughter's loving care, he succumbs, leaving Essie alone. For weeks afterward the girl barely exists, but at last the desire for life returns and hope, the feeling an all-wise Providence gives to humanity as a safeguard against our ills, regains possession of her mind and she fights on alone. One day in the woods she hears a wail, it sounds like the cry of an infant in distress. Upon investigation she discovers two baby leopards in the hollow of a tree; the girl hungers for companionship, so she determines to take the kittens to her home and as she reaches the door the mother leopard bounds into view. The girl, nothing daunted, clings to the babies. A strange scene follows; the fearless girl and the mother leopard become friends, she is alone no longer. One Year Later. Two animal buyers are starting for the interior. We follow the interesting movements of these men. We see them pitch camp in the jungles, trap leopards and other wild animals. Gates Finds Essie. A dense jungle; a white man with three native gun bearers is following a leopard track; suddenly he sees a magnificent specimen lying contentedly in his path, he raises his rifle, a human voice utters a cry, and a beautiful girl, clad in leopard skins, falls with arms outstretched across the body. Essie sees a human face and hears her mother tongue for the first time since her father's death. A few weeks later Jordan starts back with the first consignment of animals, leaving Gates to follow with the rescued girl. Essie has not only made friends with the leopard family, but being gifted by nature with a strange power over animals, she has taught them to obey her. We witness her giving Gates a demonstration of this power. The girl is alone in the world, and upon her return to civilization must have a means of livelihood. Gates is a showman and knows that an act such as Essie will be able to give with her pets will prove a revelation to the jaded theatergoers of America and Europe, so he proposes the scheme to Essie. She has grown very fond of her rescuer and is willing to be guided by his advice. Gates puts his men to building crates, and we see the party start back for civilization. At Cairo, Loading the animals on board a steamer bound for Paris. Then four weeks later we witness Essie's first public appearance. Gates has had scenery arranged to represent the girl's rude African abode, and the transplanted leopards, thinking themselves back in Africa with their Queen, obey her slightest wish, to the delight of a vast audience and as Gates takes the girl in his arms after her triumph, we see that the future bids fair to be as bright to Essie as the past has been unkind; the desolate days spent in darkest Africa are forgotten.